What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

I'm at Phase 1 of the front done. Second case, Ruff Stuff 9.5 inch housing, truss, armor, plugs, and 3rd member, and Chevy 63 hardware with Ubolt eliminators, then some maint items. New radiator, alternator.

Phase 2 on the front will be Solo Fabbed spindles plus RCV axles, LBJs and steering upgrade. Then I'll build a rack slider to go with it.

The main part of the LT is done and drivable. I have everything for the 2nd case (except the drivelines are at the shop, being cut) I'll have that done for Hammers.

I'm hoping to get the rear axle done between Hammers and the first real wheeling trip of our year in May. We have Death Valley in March but I can run the rear the way it is.

 

Sounds like a fun project. Rear set up should be rad. I keep thinking I should have just sucked it up and linked the rear of mine from the get go.

RCVs are going to be way overkill for these trucks. I'd be worried about blowing diffs with RCVs.

 

Solo fabbed spindles require custom RCV axles because the front hubs become Dana 44.

With the weight I carry and the type of stuff I do, I don't think links would work well for me. On this truck anyway.

 

Far enough. Those fabricated spindles are rad. Definitely understand the desire to go with them.

Links are weird because the big sacrifice for everyone is the bed space and fuel tank location depending on if 3 or 4 link it. For what you're doing Chevy 63s should work great or even a custom Deaver leaf pack. I'll definitely be interested to see the final product once you get everything together.

 

I'm running a custom Alcan pack now. I get quite a bit of travel out of them. But now might be the time to go ahead and go 63s to maybe get the payload capacity with more flex.

 

Both 3rz and 5vz have EGR though?

 

Most 5 VZ equip trucks don't have EGR it's pretty uncommon actually and I don't believe it was put on after 2000 on any of them

 

Yep. Especially with all the extra weight from your rack/storage set up, definitely will make a difference.

 

Oh interesting. Didn't know that. Pcv still gets vented to the intake though right?

 

Yeah

 

Just installed a Uniden Pro 520XL CB Radio in my truck! Super easy install and works great!

 

I've got the same gearing up for an install soon. Did you have to cut out the back of the trim piece at all? I have a right angle connection for the antenna, you do something similar or was there enough space without?

 

I had to cut out the plastic directly behind the cigarette lighter. I just used a little saw and it was super easy. You could also use a dremel. A right angle antenna connector would be perfect. I didn't have that so my radio sticks out just a little bit. Not the end of the world but just a note.

 

Rim Job on the 2003 Tacoma

 

lol looks good

 

You can use a heat gun to heat up the plastic duct work behind it and it will bend in enough so the front of the cb doesn't stick out at all.

 

I tried that. It worked a little. I was just worried about melting all the way through it

 

I heated it really hot and used a 1x4 board to push it in without any issues

 

Hmmm...I'll have to try that

 

+1 to this:

My work was very crude back when I first installed it and my tools limited. I hit mine with the flame of a map gas torch and then poked at it with 1.5 foot long breaker bar to bend mine and didn't go through so you will probably be good.




I however DO NOT recommend this method.

You will love the radio though, with a properly tuned setup I have always been told I am the clearest sounding in the group.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

You can even attach the paranoid switch panel to it if you are feeling froggy one day.